.
A familiar odour disturbs my peace, awakening my spirit. It floats by, ethereal and evasive; the offensive smell of burnt caramel. My raddled nose seeks it a moment before my bones recoil. This fragrance is not designed to be a comforting reminder of mother, as she stirred creamy desserts, measuring vanilla to drip into the mix, grating nutmeg for my delight. Such fripperies ceased long before my fall. I recognise the intent; this cheeky warning of coming chill is repeated annually
The witching hour is nigh. As Big Ben chimes, the wind attacks, insinuating between gaps in my rotting coffin, blowing away the clods of clay that weigh me down, evicting the insects that dig in vain for vanished flesh, lifting grey threads – the only remaining shreds of my skirt – its cold fingers creeping like a pervert seeking entry.
Neighbouring ghosts begin to whisper. Innocent ghouls float free, while convicts clank their chains. Witches intone spells. Captured frogs screech. I hear the eerie breath of demons as they tread between the shifting graves, mocking my predicament.
The wind builds a bony fist which grabs my feet, dragging me, forcing me back into grim history, back to the workhouse kitchen, where ragged shifts and worn clogs torn from the poor lie defeated beside a giant vat of syrup. Once again I see the faces of the helpless, eyes terrified, lips distorted by agonised screams as their naked skin sizzles. The screams quickly die, leaving only the bubbling stink of boiling flesh, combined with burnt sugar. Once again, I feel my bile rise. I see the ruined remains of women and children floating in darkening liquid as blackened flakes rise from the bottom of the pot, and I weep for the loss, the waste, inconsolable as if I had never before been witness to the scene.
My sweets were famous, eagerly devoured in the best houses in Christendom. I used the finest chocolate, the rarest spices, the freshest fruits. Lords and Ladies sought my carefully boiled and moulded treats, willing to pay any price for the rich flavour and texture that only I could create. Jealous competitors constantly spied on me; some hoping to steal my secret, others planning to contaminate the mix, thereby ruining my reputation. Perhaps I was too sure of myself, but my pride turned to shame the one time I erred. I left the kitchen only briefly, to oversee the storing of a consignment of walnuts, delivered to the back door. Since there were thieves and desperados all around me, I trusted nobody. All of my ingredients had to be instantly locked away, and the key secreted on my person. When I returned from my task it was too late. I confess, the blame was mine alone.
Time has consumed two centuries. Have I not suffered enough for my mistake?
It seems I must spend eternity atoning for the simple error of burning one batch.
.
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Written for Word of the Day Challenge: Atone
With added inspiration from Waltbox:
©Jane Paterson Basil
This was incredible; the imagery you used; keep me intrigued. This was very dark indeed; what a mind you have 🙂
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Thank you. It’s rare for me to stray to the dark side, but when I do I go all out.
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My writings can be dark; I am working on making posts that a little less downers, you know?
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Sometimes you have to follow your mood; at others times, it’s a good idea to let your writing lead you out of them. I use humour for that purpose.
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OMG Jane! I think this has put me off chocolate forever. Then again……A pre-Halloween tale??
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Most chocolates are fine – it’s the ones with the crunchy bits in that you have to be wary of 🙂
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I’ll bear that in mind 🙂
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Excellent descriptive language. 🙂
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Thank you Kristian – I had fun with this one 🙂
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I think I will have little trouble eating less chocolate these holidays. Thank you.
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It’s a pleasure 🙂
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My mouth is hanging open… What a fabulous story!
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Thank you, girlfriend 🙂
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hey my talented poetess, check out my page someone familiar featured
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That’s great!
I’ve been a bit inactive lately, due to family issues…
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But the crunchy bits are my favourites! This is delicious – a mouthwatering mix of darkness and creeping dread. Such imagery. Love it Jane
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Thank you Lynn. Always, when I write a piece like this, I think of you and hope for your approval. You are Empress of the dark pen.
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Ah, that’s so lovely! I was so pleased with that comment I told my son and he said I should change my blog title to ‘Empress of the Dark Pen’! I thought, though, it might be a tad presumptuous to call myself Empress … Thank you very much Jane. I truly enjoyed your demonic chocolatier
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That’s a shame, but I see your point – it’s best to keep your peerage a secret in these dangerous times. Come the glorious day, sister, we serfs will rise and take back what is rightfully ours, and you don’t want to be caught on the wrong side of the fence 🙂
Power to the people!
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Empress could always be my secret identity, like Bruce Wayne and Batman. I could skulk around the city streets at night, evicting farmers, oppressing poor people and shining my tiara 🙂
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That’s hilarious! You made me laugh like a fool. It might work as a serial comedy, or a film. You may find this hard to believe, but I can almost see it. If you don’t feel like writing the script, maybe Ricky Gervais would take it on 🙂
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I’ll let him have the idea – for a fee, of course 🙂
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Naturally – although he’s so busy that it make take him 30 years to get around to it 🙂
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Haha! 🙂
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